CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Florida Gulf Coast University volleyball fell 3-1 to the University of Miami on Friday evening.
Despite the loss, the Eagles had solid standout performances.
Erica Muhizi was a force at the net with seven kills on 13 swings (.385) and a team-high eight block assists.
Julija Grubisic Cabo led FGCU (5-5) with 11 kills and four block assists, while
Barbara Koehler chipped in with eight.
Setter
Hanna Borer finished with 16 assists and four digs, while
Eliska Vytiskova added 20 assists and three service aces to spark the offense. Defensively, FGCU tallied 39 digs and 22 block assists, including six from
Ava Smith.
The Eagles came out fast in the first set, building a 22-16 cushion behind five kills from
Barbara Koehler and four from
Iyanna Battle before closing out a 25-19 win.
Miami (9-1) answered in the second, taking a 15-8 lead before FGCU rallied to trim the gap to 23-21. The Hurricanes held on for a 25-22 win, then rolled in the third 25-15 behind a .455 hitting percentage.
FGCU stayed close early in the fourth, pulling ahead 8-5, but Miami responded with a 16-5 run to secure a 25-16 victory and the match.
The Eagles finished with 49 kills overall and hit .394 in the opening set, compared to Miami's .135.
FGCU returns to action Sunday, Sept. 28, at Eastern Kentucky to open Atlantic Sun Conference play at 12 p.m.
